A significant grassroots volleyball development program, the Udaan School Volleyball Programme, was launched in Chandigarh, India, from August 18-22, 2025. This initiative is a joint effort of the FIVB, the Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust (ABFT), the FIVB Volleyball Foundation, and the Chandigarh Government`s Departments of Sports and Education, with additional backing from the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP).
The name “Udaan”, meaning “Flight” in Hindi, aptly represents the aspiration for young athletes to ascend, perfecting their jumps, spikes, and overall performance.
The initial phase of the Udaan School Volleyball Programme featured an intensive five-day Knowledge Transfer Programme. Its primary goal is to revolutionize school sports within the region by providing 120 physical education teachers from 108 government schools with essential volleyball techniques, instructional and coaching methodologies, necessary equipment, and an understanding of Olympic values. Through their efforts, these educators are expected to motivate and positively influence more than 140,000 students throughout Chandigarh, thereby integrating volleyball as a core component of the school curriculum.
